TITLE:
Utilisation of Indigenous Ceramic Raw Materials for the Production of Water Closet
AUTHORS:
Z. U. Elakhame, Y. J. Obe, Y. L. Shuaib-Babata, L. K. Bankole, O. J. Omowunmi, I. O. Ambali, O. O. Akinsanya, A. J. Unachukwu, R. G. Adeyemo, M. Ikusedun
KEYWORDS:
Ceramics Materials, Characterization, Mould, Slip-Cast, Water-Closet
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Minerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering,
Vol.8 No.5,
August
12,
2020
ABSTRACT: The fact is that Nigeria ceramic raw materials are underutilized
as a result of inadequate information on the materials which limits the local
production of water closet. The emphasis of this research was on the
suitability of the physio-chemical properties of the abundant locally sourced
ceramic raw materials from South-west Nigeria. The selected locally sourced raw
materials included: kaolin, feldspar, silica and ball clay. The Physical
properties carried out on the specimens produced include chemical analysis, shrinkage,
porosity, bulk density, modulus of rupture, plasticity and viscosity. The
physical property tests were done in accordance with (ASTM C). Standard and the
chemical composition were identified by AAS spectrometer. However, the ratio of
kaolin, feldspar, quartz and ball clay was varied in five major formulation
represented as A, B, C, D and E. The clay, kaolin, quartz and feldspar used in
this study were found to belong to alumina-silicate group suitable for the
production of standard water closet. The samples’ properties met the required
standards; hence, the materials were found suitable for production of water
closet of acceptable standards. Composition A specimen gives the most suitable proportions for the production of
water closet at 40% of kaolin, 25% of feldspar, 10% of quartz and 25% of ball
clay respectively.